National oil check week took place in June, to highlight the importance of regular oil level checks in all vehicles. Organisers, Comma Oil, Mobil 1 and Halfords said that motorists and business fleet operators were spending millions on repairs each year that could have easily been prevented by a simple oil check.

Mobil 1 research reveals that 17% of drivers never check their oil level, while 56% forget to do regular tests. With engine seizure repairs costs anywhere between €2,000 and €5,000 or more, it is not hard to see why the simple check is so vital, particularly in high mileage vehicles.
 
It appears that as well as driver complacency, problems can also be caused by longer servicing intervals. With some cars now going 20,000 miles without a service, the day when the workshop could catch any low oil problems are now gone. This places the onus on the motorist to check and top-up as required.  

The organisers of the Oil Check Week also warned, that drivers relying on the oil pressure light to remind them may have already done damage to the engine.